Rotorua

Rotorua is a quaint little city. I can tell it’s a bit more touristy, but I don’t really mind that because 1) We are tourists and 2) We’re pretty good at avoiding the tourist stuff we don’t like.  The place we’re staying has internet, but like most of New Zealand, you have to pay by the amount you use instead of just time. This means text is much easier to upload than pictures, so this update will be a bit plain.

Yesterday we pull into the hostel called “Funky Green Voyagers”.  It was the travelbook recommendation, and we weren’t disappointed. The owner is a very friendly and very well travelled bloke, who, to my surprise, had been all over San Luis Obispo, our hometown.  Also, this place plays amazing music. Joe and I were caught singing some Doobie Brothers passionately while sitting in the living room.  We didn't realize we were doing it, but the Irish folk here thought it was hilarious.

Joe and I decide to check out the beautiful (and free!) redwood forest on the edge of town, and are not disappointed. This place is massive, and there are several side trails which we choose to take over the more-treaded main trails. Obviously, we get lost for about an hour after we realize we weren’t following a trail at all.  Quotable quotes from Joe while we were lost:

“I can’t figure out if we’re following a trail or if I’m just making patterns like in A Beautiful Mind.”

“I think we’re lost. It’s Garrett’s fault”

Me: “I don’t know if this way goes anywhere”

Joe: “Well it goes somewhere”

We eventually make it out alive, head back to the hostel, cook up some dinner (I BBQ’ed some lamb for the first time in my life. Something went wrong. Mom or Dad - you’ll have to show me how when I get home) and played some backgammon. After backgammon, this Rain Man-esque fellow literally just emerges from the corner of the room and challenges Joe and I to Connect Four. He was eerily good, and started eating our chocolate...

Today, I’m talking to the owner early this morning (I’m still waking up on California time) and say we were thinking about going on the Eastern Okataina Walkway, which looked like a nice walk. He responds something like:

“Crikey! That’s a beaauuuutiful sight to see mate! Don’t tell any other blokes about it though! Gotta keep ‘t a ‘ecret though! Nobody knows about it, so you an your mate can go skinna’ dippen’ there! In fact (points to son), when I first met his mum I took her to that lake to go skinna’ dippen’ ‘cause I knew she’d love it so much she’d come visit me again from Germany! And as you can see... (he winks in the direction of his son)... it worked!”

Needless to say that was convincing enough for me, and once Joe finishes his water on cereal (a bit of a staple for him on this trip) we’ll be off.